H.K. Patil Calls for Irrigation Study Centre in V.V. Deshpande’s Honour

Former Irrigation Minister H.K. Patil has called for an irrigation study centre to be established at either Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, or Karnatak University, Dharwad.

Speaking in Dharwad on Sunday, Mr. Patil said the centre should be named after irrigation expert Vithalrao Vaikunthrao Deshpande.

He said the proposed centre should undertake research and extension activities focused on North Karnataka.

Centre proposed for research and extension

“It should be named after Deshpande to honour his outstanding contributions to the development of irrigation in the State,” Mr. Patil said.

“A study centre in his name will help preserve his achievements and inspire future generations of engineers,” he said.

Mr. Patil was speaking at the birth centenary celebration of the late V.V. Deshpande, organised in collaboration with various engineers associations at Alur Venkatrao Bhavan.

The proposal would link the commemoration of Deshpande’s work with a centre dedicated to further research and extension in irrigation.

Deshpande, who belonged to Haliyal in Uttar Kannada, played a significant role in several major irrigation projects.

These included the Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Bhadra and Kali projects.

Patil acknowledges lack of recognition

Mr. Patil said Deshpande’s engineering contributions had not received adequate recognition.

“However, despite his exceptional engineering contributions, we have failed in adequately recognising his services,” he said.

He also admitted that sufficient efforts had not been made to honour Deshpande’s legacy even during his tenure as Water Resources Minister.

Mr. Patil said officials who had worked with Deshpande fondly referred to him as “Annadata”.

He said Deshpande’s contribution extended beyond engineering expertise because he helped create irrigation infrastructure that empowered farmers and supported agricultural prosperity.

“However, he did not receive the recognition he deserved from the administration and society,” Mr. Patil said.

He thanked the organisers for holding the birth centenary celebration.

Awards presented at centenary event

On behalf of the Deshpande family, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to retired engineer M.B. Parappagowda.

Jagadish Nandi received the Award for Excellence in Civil Engineering.

MLA Arvind Bellad felicitated the award winners and praised Rajan Deshpande for honouring his father’s legacy through the awards.

Mr. Bellad also praised the awards for encouraging professionals in the field of engineering.

He observed that standards of integrity and excellence in society, administration and politics had declined over the years.

Mr. Bellad said V.V. Deshpande’s professional dedication and commitment should serve as an example for the present generation.

Senior engineers who had worked with Deshpande were also felicitated.

They included G.C. Tallur, B.T. Rajamane, P.K. Junjarwad, S.S. Bellunke, Satyanarayana, V.S. Chalageri and Vijaya Hiremath.

Hindustani vocalist Sangeetha Katti and Kulkarni Katti presented a musical tribute titled Swara Namana.

Arun Sheelavant proposed a vote of thanks.

Source: The Hindu